The Greatest Cowboy - with Earl Scruggs Music

Go to http://www.createspace.com/204455 to get my film Spike: A Montana Horseman - a story of one off the last great American cowboys. The music is by Earl Scruggs and his band. The film won the 1st prize at the National Cowboy Hall of Fame. Spike VanCleve, from Big Timber, Montana, was one of America's top horseman and owned one of America's great horse ranches. He went to Harvard, wrote two great books, and is considered a great Cowboy poet. Years ago, I was lucky enough to meet and get the chance to spend weeks with Spike. He and his family had lived in the Montana Mountains, the Crazies, they called them. His dad had traded with the Indians (and treated them fairly) and had built one of the great horse ranches in the United States. The Van Cleve Ranch was 21,000 acres grand. Spike had cowboy values- you work hard for a days pay -- you treat your animals right -- you are decent (but not overly friendly) to your neighbors -- you spend most of your days working your ranch. Summer and winter. Spike was lucky to have the parents that he had and lucky to grow up as a horsemen. Spike once told me that he had more metal in his body from broken bones then anyone he knew and that he couldn't go through the metal detectors in airports without setting off the alarms. To see my other film work, visit www.thehoffmancollection.com

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[coloneljj]

great video ive know a few good cowboys like spike

[allinaday]

@coloneljj - You are a lucky man....

David Hoffman - filmmaker

[montanabob]

Hello..I worked on the Lazy K in 1967..It was a great summer..I felt very close to Spike & Barby..I rode a horse that banged up Spike..his name was Colonel..Spike warned me, but I had to try..I wound up head over heels in somersalts, banged up head to toe..Colonel ran down a step mountain on me and there was nothin i could do about it..Spike was right..No one was gonna ride Colonel for very long....RIP Spike..it was an honor to work for you..

Bobby Blair

[allinaday]

Dear Bobby. What a wonderful comment. I so thank you for it. Your memory enriches my movie and allows others to live a little realistically in the world of Spike.

David Hoffman -- filmmaker

[shenans68]

David, I didn't hear back so I thought I would comment again. I agree that not enough people have seen this. Would it be OK with you if we (the Van Cleve family) posted this on our FaceBook page and the Lazy K Bar Ranch homepage? Do you want me to use this link?

[allinaday]

hello to all. Of course you can post my movie. I would be honored. I would also be happy to add some comments from my experiences with Spike.

David Hoffman -- filmmaker

[Paniolodave]

A true Cowboy! Spike.

[TwentyWonmile]

Love the video, it's sad to see that way of life slowly eroding away. Thanks for capturing if only but a piece of it.

[Todaylight]

I learn much about this amazing video...

[72milesman]

Hello from Powder River County

[Hank666100]

Thanx for this ...GREAT

[kwf15]

Great seeing this again. I last saw it at the ranch in 2006.

What year was it produced?

[nmelkhunter1]

Reminds me of my granddad who went to work as a wrangler on big outfit in New Mexico when he was about 13. Pretty neat video. Thank you!